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5.0 from 33 votes

How to Smoke Salmon - Easy Smoked Salmon Recipe

Learn how to make your own smokey and flaky hot smoked salmon at home.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Additional Time
8 hrs
Total Time
9 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 1 lb
Calories: 7353 kcal
Course: Main Course , Salad , Breakfast , Appetizer , Condiments , Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 lb salmon filet
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • alderwood chips or pellets or apple wood

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat dry the salmon with a paper towel and place on a rack lined sheet pan.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar and kosher salt. Lightly coat the skin side (about ¼ the amount of the brine). Thoroughly coat the meat side of the salmon with the rest of the brine. Place the salmon back onto the rack, making sure that it’s lifted from the bottom of the sheet pan. Cover with foil.
  3. Let sit in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight to marinate.
  4. Rinse off the brine with water and pat dry. Place the salmon back onto the rack uncovered.
  5. Place back in the fridge for at least 5 hours or until it forms the pellicle. The skin should be tacky and glossy. Remove the fish from the fridge and place it on the counter for about 30 minutes to prepare for even cooking.
  6. Preheat the smoker to 140-150 °F. Add the fish and close the lid.
  7. Check the temperature of the smoker and internal temperature of the fish every 20 minutes.
  8. After about 1 hour (or when the internal temperature reaches about 110-120 °F), raise the temperature to 180 °F and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Remove the fish once it reaches 145 °F.
  9. Let the fish rest on the counter, uncovered for about 10-15 minutes.
  10. Serve or cover in an airtight container in the fridge until you want to consume.

Nutrition Information

Calories 735.3kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 23.54g (8%) Protein 90.02g (180%) Fat 28.76g (44%) Saturated Fat 4.45g (22%) Polyunsaturated Fat 11.52g Monounsaturated Fat 9.54g Cholesterol 249.48mg (83%) Sodium 14159.18mg (590%) Potassium 2257.4mg (64%) Sugar 23.28g (47%) Vitamin A 181.44IU (4%) Calcium 82.99mg (8%) Iron 3.92mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1lb

Amount Per Serving

Calories 7353

% Daily Value*

Calories 735.3kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 23.54g 8%
Protein 90.02g 180%
Fat 28.76g 44%
Saturated Fat 4.45g 22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.52g 68%
Monounsaturated Fat 9.54g 48%
Cholesterol 249.48mg 83%
Sodium 14159.18mg 590%
Potassium 2257.4mg 48%
Sugar 23.28g 47%
Vitamin A 181.44IU 4%
Calcium 82.99mg 8%
Iron 3.92mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.